Vietnamese and Japanese people connected through friendship forests

Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh (right), Vice President of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association and Mr. Kamata Atsunori, Vice President of JVPF. (Photo: vufo.org.vn)

At the meeting, Mr. Kamata Atsunori, JVPF Vice President, said that JVPF has coordinated with the Ha Giang provincial authorities to carry out friendship tree planting activities in Phuong Do commune, Ha Giang city, Ha Giang province. The project successfully planted 5ha of star anise trees in January 2023 and 3.5ha of cinnamon trees in January 2024.

According to Mr. Kamata Atsunori, this is an activity in response to the program of planting 1 billion new trees launched by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, thereby contributing to actively supporting the work of forest protection and regeneration in Ha Giang province, helping local people to have more income and develop the forest economy.

From November 4 to 6, a delegation of Japanese forestry experts, officers and  JVPF returned to Ha Giang province to inspect the development of star anise and cinnamon trees in the planted area. The delegation visited the friendship tree planting area, listened to people's opinions on tree planting activities, provided guidance and shared techniques for tree care and protection.

Mr. Tajima Hiroji, an expert and former officer of the Japanese Forestry Agency, assessed that the trees grew well and were carefully and thoughtfully cared for by local people. He hopes that after being instructed on tree planting techniques, people will apply them well in practice, helping the trees continue to grow and bring high profits.

Appreciating the effectiveness of the tree planting project that brings practical benefits to local people, Mr. Nguyen Phu Binh hopes that JVPF will continue to expand many more projects in other localities of Vietnam. The Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association also pledges to actively coordinate with JVPF to promote people-to-people exchange activities between the two countries.

JVPF was established in 1999. Since its establishment, JVPF has coordinated with the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association to organize many activities such as educational cultural and artistic exchanges between Vietnam and Japan; support for victims of chemical agents during the war; and establish a scholarship fund for ethnic minority high school students./.